Forging of a Biscayne Trade Axe

The Biscayne axe head comes from the Biscayne region of France. It became known as the trade axe in North America as it was traded for furs with the natives. Using an example from circa 1640, blacksmith Mathieu Collette of Les Forges de Montreal, demonstrates the steps required to forge such an axe. Mathieu has been researching this axe for the past year and a half as part of a program to regain lost knowledge and craftsmanship in blacksmithing. He is aided in this video by Steiiff Vinet, striker.